Artists plying their wares across the city now face tougher regulations on where they actually may sell their work.

New rules governing where and how many artists may sell creative kitsch went into effect July 19, in the face of fierce opposition from creative tinkerers through New York City. 

The Observer reports that two painters sought an injunction against the new ordinance, citing the First Amendment to call the selling of art publicly an "expressive act." The same defense got artists free reign to sell their wares without a permit back in 2001. Now, public selling of art is limited to a certain number of spaces, which are first-come, first-serve.  New York Press reported on the already-bitter fight for selling space that went on before the ordinance came down - it's obvious this will only make things more difficult for many artists who are struggling for more than space. Our Town reported that some street-selling artists believe this is just one more step in a series of actions the city has taken to require artists to obtain permits before selling anything on the street.